[ The PC Guide | The PC Buyer's Guide | Step-By-Step Summary Guide To Buying A PC ]

Step 4: Make The Purchase

Having determined your requirements, decided what hardware you want to buy, and selected a vendor to your liking, you are now ready to proceed with actually making the purchase of your equipment. There are a few extra considerations and additional choices related to making the purchase that you will want to keep in mind.

Here are the steps to follow:

1. Time Your Purchase: You can wait forever to buy if you always want to wait until "next month when prices will be lower". At the same time, there are good strategies for timing your purchase if you aren't in a big hurry.
2. Choose A Delivery Method: If you are ordering online or by mail order, decide what carrier you want to use. Keep in mind the value of order tracking, security issues with shipping, and also the impact of weather on long shipments.
3. Select A Payment Method: There are a number of different methods that you can choose from to pay for your new system or components. I have divided these into two general categories:
   • Immediate payment options, which I define to include cash, money orders, personal checks, COD purchases, online payments, and credit card purchases where you will be paying the charge when it comes due.
   • Delayed payment options, which may allow you to get your PC now and pay for it later or over time, but which may cost you substantially for the privilege. This category includes deferred payment, purchase orders, financing and leasing, and carrying a balance on a credit card.
4. Purchase: You're now ready to buy your PC! If you are ordering a build-to-order or configure-to-order PC, be sure to get a detailed quote. If ordering online or mail order, get complete confirmation of order, stock, price and ship date information. Watch out for "extras" that companies will try to sell you at the time of the purchase.

If you've done your vendor research, and you have a bit of luck, you should have a relatively problem-free experience with your order. However, sometimes you may choose a vendor that turns out not to be what it appeared, and even good vendors have bad days and problems that turn up. To deal with these difficulties--in fact, even to help you learn what to watch for--you may want to refer to these three sections:

• A discussion of common vendor and order problems, such as "bait and switch", overcharging, orders not shipped on time, credit card pre-charging, slow refunds, lost or late shipments, incorrect item shipments, long backorders, balking on guarantees or warranties, or inappropriate restocking fees.
• General suggestions for dealing with difficult vendor and order problems: the value of documentation, standing up for your rights, knowing how to deal effectively with the vendor, how to use a company's hierarchy, how to reach a resolution, how to deal with avoidance, and when to cancel an order.
• If it becomes necessary, how to deal with vendor abuses and deceptive practices. This includes how to dispute a credit card charge, try feedback at a high-level within the company, involve consumer protection agencies or the media, or take legal action if you have no other recourse.

Here are some general tips to help with the purchase:

• Be careful with your choice of carrier; one that supports order tracking is a good idea.
• Don't use delayed payment options to buy a PC you can't afford; you'll regret it later. Pay off credit card purchases on time to avoid charges.
• Use this comparison page, which rates the various payment options in a number of categories.
• Always know your rights and stand your ground in the event of order difficulties. Give the benefit of the doubt to a company before you assume malice, but don't let yourself be pushed around if they are being obviously unscrupulous.

Next: Step 5: After The Purchase

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